12.20.2010

It is the height of the holiday season...and everyone is rushing around from store to store to find that perfect gift...well, I have the answer right here - and you don't even need to leave your seat...

For over 66 years, Heifer has been helping families achieve self-reliance through gifts of animals and training. Their program model proves time and again that a gift of one animal sparks a cycle of hope that changes entire communities.

At their website, you can read about the work they do around the world, preview their holiday catalog, select your gifts and even send an e-card to the recipient. I love the fact that everything is done online with low administrative cost so the maximum amount of your donation goes to the program (spoken by someone who used to do non-profit fundraising in another life!)

Granted, there are many good causes out there...find the one that touches your heart or reaffirms your beliefs and support it this holiday season and then share that cause with others...because if you want to give a gift that will be memorable, wouldn't a water buffalo top the list...

12.17.2010

Wrapping up a few gifts today...using what I have at hand to make each present special. These ideas aren't new...just offering a creative reminder...

For the wrapping paper I used some green colored butcher paper - kraft paper would work just as well - same for paper bags, the sunday comics or a stray roll of wallpaper.

For the ribbon, I ripped strips of cotton fabric. Using lightweight cotton fabric, its easy to rip a "ribbon" strip across the grain of the fabric. I like the frayed edge...I picked a green floral print to coordinate with the paper. Likewise you could encircle a gift with an old sewing tape measure, a man's tie or a cloth belt.

For the tag, the front of a christmas card from years past, embellished with a fragment from some tacky decoration at the bottom of the ornament box...I like how the holly picks up the floral design in the fabric ribbon and on the tag. Also since its the end of the year, you could use your 2010 calendar to make tags and gift enclosures.

Now with a glass of wine in hand, I'm settling in to write christmas cards...probably my favorite holiday tradition...keeping in touch with distant friends and sending good wishes near and far...

12.15.2010

After completing my "tree" decoration, I added a couple of shots of festivity to a few other places in our home...

The wicker chair in the front hallway was layered with a vintage wool plaid blanket topped with a pillow I made from another wool blanket. My mom's sewing machine has a sweet vignette of old sewing items combined with Shiny Brite ornaments from my childhood...with the Utrillo print on the wall - which always hung in our living room when I was young.

The mirror in the living room needed a holiday punch. Simple cones are rolled up from old sheet music and stuck behind the mirror...as if to herald the call of "Peace on Earth"! A very old map of the world from a well loved atlas gives a spark of color. The original pen & ink drawing was found in a thrift shop ten years ago...I think I paid $9.00...

The vintage wood type spills out on a large silver tray on the sofa table...

12.12.2010

I had a day of luxury on Friday...the house all to myself and no pressing projects nor urgent requests...I spent the day decorating for the holidays!I'm not much of a traditionalist at holiday time...and if you know me, I relish using what I already have and making something grand out of it...I have to say so myself that I'm pleased with how my "tree" turned out.

Decided to focus on a bird theme...gathered some bird art - John James Audubon, Sid Dickens, Wendy Lee Lynds and me. Since most of my artificial tree is at Faded Elegance, I only had the bottom tier of branches that I didn't use at my space...I stuck these branches in a copper planter. I then added dried poppy heads and three branches I trimmed from our birch tree in the front yard...I took the arrangement outside and gave it a mist of sparkle from the remaining hammered silver spray paint I used on the french side table. Once inside, I completed the tree with miniature lights, pheasant feathers, a few vintage Shiny Brite ornaments and a couple of artistic flourishes...

At the base, I composed a little vignette.

With the tree completed, I was ready to tackle the rest of the house...

12.09.2010

Back in late October, I posted about being on the hunt for display pieces for shop owner Ted Watson. Found pieces were delivered downtown Seattle in early November and his display windows at Watson Kennedy Fine Home were completed in plenty of time for holiday shopping...the end results....

Though I work at one of the big box stores (and they certainly get a fair share of my business), I always try to patronize local small businesses, especially for gifts. It is such small businesses that form the heart of a community and will have a wealth of gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Since I tend to look for quirky, vintage, one-of-a-kind type gifts, here are other retail stores to shop for the holidays in addition to Watson Kennedy Fine Home and Watson Kennedy Fine Living. (FYI - you can order on-line from a great selection of unique and/or goods at the Watson Kennedy website)

Faded Elegance in Snohomish...and I'm not just recommending it because I have a space there! The owner, Kimberly McIlrath really has exquisite taste and always finds the greatest treasures - whether they are antique or new, you won't be disappointed.

Bountiful Home in Edmonds is housed in the cutest cottage in downtown Edmonds. The owner, Todd Waddell, has just the right touch in home and garden decor. Though its not prime gardening season (and so his backyard garden oasis will not be open), there will be many nature and garden inspired ideas to ensure that you will have a difficult time deciding on just one item...so don't - choose many!

J Matheson in Everett is a fantastic cook & kitchen cornucopia. All the classics plus those great kitchen gadgets that you never knew could make your cooking so much easier.

Supporting local small business +finding the perfect gift =Happy Holidays!

BeMused Creations had charming pendants using old watch face cases to profile an eclectic assemblage of gears, beads and findings.

Even if you don't live in the Seattle area, there are artisans in your hometown who would love to show their work to you - a local art center or art supply store should be able to put you in touch. Supporting local artists strengthens your community...and ensures that your gift will be one of a kind!

12.03.2010

Since I'm in a holiday decorating mode, thought I would share two more quick festive ideas...First the Shiny...I picked up these star molds last summer at an estate sale sponsored by the Assistance League of Everett.

an aside - Assistance League of Everett sales are my favorite estate sales to attend...its a volunteer based non-profit that assists school children in need. They have a thrift store in town and run estate sales- most of the members that I have met are elderly and/or retired women - I have enjoyed getting to know them and they have enjoyed seeing the various sundry parts I pick up and are always curious with what I'm going to make from all the junk I buy!

I thought right away that these stars would make great ornaments. I punched a hole in the side with my metal hand punch (what a wonderful tool - thank you lisa & beth!)

A little ribbon, one or two mother of pearl buttons and it's done...decided to go with a more minimalist feel.

And now the Bright...the tall columns of Mexican prayer candles are a classic...and so affordable. I decided to give them some holiday bling.

With a selection of patterned tissue paper, vintage wallpaper, old french text, a couple of transparencies of a clock photograph I took as well as ribbon, old keys, buttons and jewels, I went to work.

I had a couple of vintage screw-back earrings that I wanted to use...I clipped off one end of the screw so I could remove it from the curved end. Then I straightened out the bent metal end, ever so gently so it wouldn't break off.

Now I had a jeweled bauble with a hole on the end so it could be strung on a ribbon - perfect!

The decorating themes with these candles are endless. I like using candles throughout my house during the winter months- they give such a warm glow.

Better get to a little holiday decorating around here...it will be Christmas soon!

11.30.2010

This coming weekend is the Phinney Neighborhood Winter Festival - one of the premier winter festivals in the Puget Sound area. Join me at this joyous holiday event - I'm celebrating my tenth year as an artist at this show...and will give you 10% off your purchases at my booth if you mention you read about it on my blog! I'll have plenty of vintage inspired gifts and lots of holiday cards. Find my booth in Room 6 on the second floor of the Blue Building. Phinney Winter FestivalSaturday & SundayDecember 4 & 510 am to 5 pm each day115 Artist BoothsLive EntertainmentGreat Foodwhat more could you want?! Hope to see you at Phinney!

11.27.2010

Given my fascination with vintage clocks, I just had to design some clock ornaments this holiday season. I gathered up several of my vintage clockfaces and scanned them with my printer/scanner.

I cut & pasted, rearranged & resized until I was satisfied with the layout. I printed my layout onto a sheet of iron-on transfer paper - I've been using the Art-Wear transfer sheets from June Taylor, Inc. I then cut out each individual clockface.

Following the directions for application, I ironed the transfer onto my fabric. I decided to use fabric stretched across small embroidery hoop frames - some metal, others painted "graphite" with Valspar spray paint- as the foundation for my ornaments. Before I ironed, I embellished some faces with rubber stamp images and distressed others with leftover coffee.

Once the transfer was complete, I stretched the fabric in the frame, clipped the excess fabric close to the edge on the back of the embroidery hoop and added a bead of glue all around the edge to prohibit fraying. I added some flourish to each ornament by stitching clock hands, watch gears and beads onto the front of the ornament. A backing of patterned wallpaper (to hide the stitching) and a combination of ribbons for hanging made my ornaments complete.

If you would like to create your own clock ornaments (or any other brilliant idea!), here is a copy of my sheet of clockfaces - best to click on picture to get a larger image for printing. Enjoy!

11.26.2010

With the end of Thanksgiving, the holiday season begins in earnest...starting today, Faded Elegance is a winter wonderland, filled with gifts, treasures and surprises for the weeks ahead. "Of Clocks & Crowns" is the holiday theme I chose for my space this year...

"Of Clocks & Crowns" will be on display until the end of December with new treasures added every week.Faded EleganceHistoric Downtown Snohomishfadedelegancestyle.blogspot.com

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all rights reserved. please do not reproduce, use or copy my images, photos, artwork or text without my express permission. email inquiries to amy_duncan@yahoo.com.
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